Hakko, Metcal, Pace, Ersa, JBC, Edsyn, Xytronics, Weller, Den-On, Goot..

What is the best soldering stations to solder new multilayer lead free boards?

First lets name the best manufacturers of soldering stations:

• Pace
• Hakko
• Metcal
• Edsyn
• Xytronics
• Weller,
• Goot
• Den-On
• Ersa
• JBC

Now in terms of quality they are all good, most of these will last 10 year and up. In 10 years most of them will need new tips and new cord between the iron and station. This is normal!

WHen choosing the best station we need to look the station for today needs. Today we need to solder lead free, multilayer boards and for this we need fast termal recovery. If we use old station we need to turn the temperature UP to compenzate for slow termal recovery, once old style soldering station reach melting point it will melt solder but temperature will not stay there, it will run higer and at one moment start destroying parts and PCB.
If we set temperature for lets say 350C old station will not be able to do the job, multilayer board will drain temperature and no soldering can be made.

Fastest termal recovery has JBC, it melt solder within 2 seconds once station is turned on. Second one is Metcal MX5010 with around 5 seconds, the same as Goot station.
Pace station is ready in like 6-7 seconds HW-70.
Ersa and Hakko FM202 need around 9 seconds to reach 350C.
Other stations needs more than that and they are not my recomendation (did not test newest Edsyn).

Also Weller MT1500 is fast but it often overheat when used on multlayer boards, it reach temperature very fast but sensor is to slow to sense that temperature is already high..

Now, this is interesting. If I would choose what station I enjoy to use I would say ERSA. It has something to do with tips, they are all fast recovery all get the same temperature but somehow Ersa melts solder just nice. If you apply soldering wire to ERSA solder it just spreads around very easy while on some other stations you have feeling that tip is actually made of ceramic and solder wire does not like it.

If I would name the best quality soldering station it would be Edsyn, but dont buy these because it will last you forever and you wont have a chance to try other brands :))))

The best iron handle has new Metcal MX5010, its like a pen, very accurate.

Please not that those Den-On SS-1800 does not last more than 2-3 years if you use them every day.


So my recommendation for new station is:

1. JBC (far away from others)
2. Ersa
3. Metcal

Used stations:

1. JBC
2. Pace
3. Metcal
4. Edsyn

Many people online write about Hakko, however, most of them never tested other brands. New Hakko FM-202 iron and stan look and feel very cheep, if you press it harder to the board iron may come apart and we all love to lift parts with the iron :)))